Press for tufting-machines.



B. G. POSTON. PRESS 'ro'n TUFTING MACHINES. APPLICATION rum) .TUKE'Z,190a,.

' Patented Apr. 6,1909. 2 SHEETS-SHEET 1.

Wit" one:

I B. c. PCS TON. PRESS FOB TUFTING MACHINES. APPLICATION TILED JUNE 2,1908 91 7,657. Patented Apr. 6, 1909.

UNITED STATS PATENT OFFTCF".

BURTON C. POSTON, OF OHILLICOTHE, OHIO.

PRESS FOR TUFTING-MACHINES.

To a-Zt whom it may concern:

Be it known that 1, BURTON O. PosToN, a citizen of the United States,residing at Chillicothe, in the county of Ross and State of Ohio, haveinvented certain new and use ful Improvements in Presses for Tufting-Machines, of which the following is a specification, reference being hadtherein to the accompanying drawing.

My invention relates to improvements in presses for tufting machines.

The objectof my invention is to provide a press of this character, inwhich couches of considerable length and breadth can be evenly pressedthroughout their entire surface and rigidly held in the desired positionwhile the prongs of the buttons are being clenched, and will remain insaid position when the pressure of the operating means is released.

A still further object of my invention is to provide a more simple,cheap and effective device having certain details of structure toaccomplish the desired result.

In the accompanying drawings, Figure 1, is a side elevation of myimproved press. Fig. 2, is a vertical sectional view taken on the line22, Fig. 1. Fig. 3, is an enlarged end view of one of the carriagesmovlng upon the track. Fig. 1, is a vertical sectional view of the shoetaken on line 33 of Fig. 3. Fig. 5, is a top plan view of a modifiedform of driving mechanism and also mold. Fig. 6, is a verticaltransverse sectional view taken on the line 66 of Fig. 5. Fig. 7, is anend view of Fig. 5. Fig. 8, is an enlarged perspective view of thepressure brackets and showing the means by which it is horizontallyadjusted upon the upper Lbeam, and by means of which it may bedetachably secured.

Referring now to the drawings, 1 and 2 represent two horizontal beamsforming the base, and by means of which the device is supported. Securedto the center of the beams 1 and 2 are the end standards 3 and a, madeof U-shaped beams and braced to the outer ends of the beams 1 and 2 bybraces 5, thus preventing any twisting of the standards on the basebeams. Between the lower ends of the standards and connected thereto bythe bracket plates 6 is an I-beam 7 which braces the standards, and alsoforms a track for the movable carriages, as will be hereinafter morefully described. Between the extreme upper end of Specification ofLetters Patent.

Application filed .Tune 2, 1908.

Patented April 6, 1909.

Serial No. 436,302.

the standards 3 and at, and secured thereto, by means of bracket plates8, is an I-beam 9 which braces the standards and combined therewith andwith the elongated strong horizontal frame is adapted to withstand agreat amount of strain, as devices of this character are subjected toconsiderable strain.

Extending horizontally across the entire frame, and through thestandards 3 and 4:, is a shaft 10 which is made in sections, and coupledtogether by the coupling 11, all of which will be hereinafter more fullydescribed. The shaft, as shown, is journaled in the standards, and hasone end beyond the standard 3. This extended end of the shaft isprovided with a gear-wheel 12 keyed thereon, and meshing with a pinion13 carried by the shaft 14. The shaft 14, as shown, is provided with abase 15, by means of which it is secured to the standard 3. Thegear-wheel 13 is loosely mounted upon the shaft 15 and secured to saidgear-wheel, and loosely mounted upon the shaft 15 is a pilot-wheel 16which is provided on its outer periphery with the handles 17. Thesehandles allow the operator to stand in front of the machine and operateit, although I have shown a handle 18 by means of which the wheel isoperated, all of which will be hereinafter more fully described. On theend of the shaft 15 is a nut 19 by means of which the pilot wheel isheld thereon. lVhile I have shown the same operated by hand, it will beunderstood that the shaft 10 could be operated by any power by placing apulley on the shaft 15. The shaft 10, as before described, extends allthe way across the frame, and is made in two sections properly coupledtogether for adjusting either section, as will be hereinafter more fullydescribed. Each section 21 and 22 of the shaft 10 is provided with twoscrew-threaded portions 23 and 24, the threads of which are oppositelyarranged.

Slidably mounted upon the I-beam 7 are the carriages 25, 26, 27 and 28,which work in conjunction with the threaded portions 23 and 24 of theshaft sections, whereby the rotation of the shaft moves each pair of thecarriages carried by the shaft sections to or from each other. The upperend of the carriages have pivotally connected thereto the links 29, 30,31 and 32. The links 29 and 30 connected to the carriages 25 and 26,have their upper ends inclined toward each other, and are pivotallyconnected to the block 35 carried by the lower face of thevertically-movable plunger or pressing frame 34. The carriages 27 and 28have their links 31 and 32 pivotally connected thereto, and extendupwardly and are pivotally connected to the block 35 carried by thelower face of the plunger 34. t

The plunger 34 is composed of beams 3 and 38 bolted together and havingat their ends the guide plates 39 which are turned inwardly within theU-shaped standards, being two brackets or guide-plates 39 at each end ofthe frame, and it will be seen that there cannot be any twisting of theplunger. The plunger has secured thereon transverse boards 40 forming abroad flat platform of sufficient width and length to receive thelargest pieces of furniture, etc, that are to be lifted.

The .tufting frame is placed upon the plunger and is worked in themanner well known by those skilled in the art, and by operating thewheel 16 the plunger will be forced upwardly, as will be hereinaftermore fully described.

The upper ends of the carriages are provided with recesses 41 in whichextends the links 29, and are pivoted therein by means of the pin 43.The said links extend upwardly and are pivotally connected to the blocks30 of, the follower. As shown, the links of the carriages 25 and 26 areconnected to one block and the links of the carriages 27 and 28 areconnected to the other block. Thus it will be seen that the rotation ofthe shaft 10 moves the carriages longitudinally of the frame, and thusforces the blocks 35 upwardly, and raises the plunger. The shaftcoupling 11 is so constructed that either section can be movedlongitudinally, independent of the other section, whereby should thecarriage of one section of the shaft be so positioned that the plungeris not evenly forced upwardly-that is, one end being higher or lowerthan the other-the shaft section may be adjusted to cause the plunger tobe in a horizontal plane. The carriages, as shown, have a horizontalpassage 44 therethrough for the passage of the shaft, and also have avertical recess 45 extending from its lower face, and in which looselyfits the blocks 46 which have a vertical movement in the recess, andalso a twisting movement when the occasion requires it. The blocks 46are provided with screw-threaded openings 4'? through which thescrew-threaded portions 23 and 24 of the shaft pass, and said blocks 46and the recess 45 being of rectangular form, it will be seen that theblocks are held against rotation, and the carriages caused totravel onthe beam 7.

The lower. faces of the carriages are provided with longitudinalcut-away portions48 in their lower faces, which form thedownwardly-extending flanges 49 and 50, which extend down below the beam7 and prevent the carriages from leaving said beam. Extendingtransversely through the flanges 49 and 50 of each carriage at the ends,are the shafts 51 and 52 which are removably held therein, yet heldagainst rotation. Mounted on each shaft adjacent the'flanges are twoball-bearing wheels 53 and 54 which roll upon the upper face of the beam7, and cause the carriage to freely move thereon. The wheels 53 and 54have a ball-bearing connection with the shafts 51 and 52.

The beam 9 has secured to its lower face the pressing bracket. Thisbracket is made to adjust itself to any angle as shown in the drawings.This bracket is intended to bear upon the cross-piece of thefollower-board, so as to add strength to the cross-piece of thefollower-board and give the operator more room between thefollower-board and the long iron beam of the press, whereby the buttonsmay be more readily clenched over the washers after the pad is presseddown.

The bracket consists of a circular portion 56 having the hook 57 adaptedto pass over the lower flanges of the I-beam 9. The opposite side of theportion 56 is provided with an upwardly-extending lug 58 provided with ascrew-threaded opening 59 through which the screw-bolt 60 passes, andwhich extends over the lower flange of the I-beam 9 and by means ofwhich the blocks'are removably secured to the beam. The member 56 isprovided with an opening through which the bolt 61 passes, said boltextending through the circular member 62 of the bracket proper. Thebracket has its vertical wall cut away, indicated at 63, whereby a spaceis left for the nut 64. By this arrangement it will beseen that thebracket may be set at any angle when desired. These brackets may be ofdifferent forms, and lengths, as shown in Fig. 5, which is necessarywhen different forms of mold boards are used.

The vertical ends or standards 3 and 4 are provided with brackets 65 and66 upon which the mold board support 34 rests, and is sup ported, whilethe mold boards are being set.

hese brackets also limit the downward movement of the member 34.

In Figs. 5, 6 and 7, instead of having the form of operating means forrotating the shaft 10 shown in Figs. 1 and 2, I have shown a motor 67mounted upon the beam 9 adjacent one end and said motor having a pinion68 meshing with a gear 69. Through the medium of this and the train ofgearing 70, 71, and 7 2 the gear 73 is driven which is carried by theshaft 10, and whereby the same is rotated. In these figures the bracketsare shown of different lengths, andthe same being removable it will beunderstood that any length bracket can be used to suit the form of moldboard being used.

Having thus described my invention, what Ilclaim and desire to secure byLetters Patent, is v V v 1, A press of the character described,comprising a frame, a vertically-movable plunger within the frame, ashaft extending longitudinally of the frame and having oppositelyscrew-threaded portions, carriages carried by the frame, blocks withinthe carriages and loosely arranged, and through which the threadedportions of the shaft pass, links connecting the carriages with theplunger, and means whereby the shaft may be rotated.

2. A press of the character described, comprising a frame, avertically-niovable plunger within the frame, carriages carried by thelower end of the frame, blocks loosely mounted in the carriages and heldagainst rotation therein, a shaft extending longitudinally of the frameand having oppositely screw-threaded portions screwed into the blocks inthe carriages, links connecting the carriages and the plunger, and meansfor rotating said shaft.

3. A press of the character described, comprising a longitudinal frame,having an I-beam forming its lower end, four carriages carried by saidI-beam, a shaft made in two sections and each section having oppositelyscrew-threaded portions passing through two of said carriages, means foradjustably connecting said shaft sections, a plunger vertically movablewithin the frame, links connectin said carriages and plunger, and meansfor rotating the shaft, substantially as described.

A. A press of the character described, comprising a longitudinal frame,composed of upper and lower horizontal I-beams connected by verticalU-shaped end beams, a plunger between said end beams and having bracketscarried thereby and extending into said U-shaped beam to allow of avertical movement thereof, means for vertically moving said plunger, andswiveled pressing brackets horizontally movable upon the lower face ofthe upper I-beam.

5. A press of the character described, comprising a longitudinal framecomposed of an upper and a lower horizontal Lbeam, U-shaped verticalbeams connecting the ends of the I-beams, a plunger vertically movablebetween the said end beams, brackets carried by the plunger andextending into said U-shaped beam to allow of a vertical movementthereof but preventing any twisting, carriages carried by the lowerI-beam, a shaft having screw-threaded connections with the carriages formoving them longitudinally on the beam, links connecting the carriages,and the plunger, a gear-wheel carried by the shaft on the outside of theframe, a small pinion meshing with said gear-wheel, and means forrotating the pinion substantially as described.

6. A press of the character described, com prising a frame, a plungervertically movable therein, carriages horizontally movable across theframe and arranged in pairs, a shaft made in two sections and adiustablyconnected together, each section having two screw-threaded portionsoppositely screwthreaded, and operatively connected to one pair ofcarriages, links connecting the carriages and the plunger, and means forrotating said shaft.

7, A press of the character described comprising a frame, a plungervertically movable therein, carriages horizontally movable in the frame,a block within each carriage and vertically and horizontally movable,and a shaft passing through the carriages and screw-threaded with theblocks, and links connecting the carriages and the plungers.

S. A press of the character described comprising a frame, a plungervertically movable therein, carriages horizontally movable and havingdownwardly-extending flanges extending over the lower horizontal bar ofthe frame, transverse shafts carried by the carriages, rollers mountedupon said shafts and rolling upon the lower horizontal beam of theframe, and said carriages having horizontal openings therethrough, eachcarriage having recesses extending upwardly from its lower faces andintersecting the horizontal opening. an angular block loosely fittingwithin said recess and having a horizontal screw-threaded open'agregistering with the opening in the carriage, a rotatable shaft passingthrough the opening in the carriage and having a screw-threaded portionmeshing with the threads of the opening in the block, the unner end ofthe carriages having a recess, a link pivoted within said recess andhaving its upper end pivotally connected to the plunger, and means forrotating said shaft.

9. A press of the character described comprising a frame, a verticallymovable plunger, means for moving said plunger vertically and holding itin its adjusted position, pressing brackets horizontally adjustablysecured to the frame above the plunger and having a swiveled portionworking in conjunction with the plunger.

10. A press of the character described, comprising a frame, a verticallymovable plunger, means for operating said plunger, ahorizontal I-beamabove the plunger and forming a part of the frame, pressing bracketscomposed of a body portion slidably and movably supported to the lowerface of the I-beam by a set screw, and a swiveled portion working inconjunction with the plunger.

11. A press of the character described comprising a frame, avertically-movable plunger, means for operating said plunger, ahorizontal I-beam above the plunger and forming a part of the frame,pressing brackets composed of a body portion having a hook passing overthe flange on one side of the I-beam, a lug extending upwardly on theother side of the beam, a horizontal screw passing through the lug andengaging the upper face of the flange of the I-beam, and a swiveledportion carried by the body portion and adapted to engage the mold boardcarried by the plunger.

12. A press of the character described, comprising a frame, aVertically-movable plunger, means for operating said plunger, ahorizontal I-beam above the plunger and forming a part of the frame,pressing brackets carried by the frame and composed of a body portionhaving a hook passing over the flange on one side of the I-beam, a lugextending upwardly on the other side of the beam, a horizontal screwpassing through the lug and engaging the upper face of the flange of theI-beam, and a swiveled portion carried by the body portion and adaptedto engage the mold board carried by the plunger, and means whereby theswiveled portions may be readily removed.

13. A press of the character described comprising a frame, a Verticallymovable plunger Within the frame, a shaft extending longitudinally ofthe frame and formed in two sections oppositely threaded, means foradjustably connecting the two sections, carriages horizontally movablein the lower end of the frame, blocks loosely mounted in the carriagesand held against rotation therein and through which the threadedportions of the shaft sections pass, links connecting the carriages andplunger, and means for rotating said shaft, substantially as described.

In testimony whereof I afiix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

BURTOLT G. POSTON.

\Vitnesses ETHEL M. DIXON, JOHN WV. GoLDsnERRY.

